Florida Inlet Advice

[Chinook]

This is a question for Florida Mac owners who have local knowledge of Lake Worth, Jupiter, St. Lucie and Fort Pierce Inlets. I'm in the midst of trip planning for our upcoming spring Bahamas cruise. We will be crossing over from Key Biscayne to Bimini, en route to the Exumas. I'm planning a return route via Eleuthra and Great Abaco. Our return crossing will be out of West End. Our truck and trailer will be waiting at Ft. Pierce. We've exited and entered the Lake Worth Inlet before, and know it is a good inlet to use, however, it is almost due west of West End, and thus requires some southing in crossing the Gulf Stream. Jupiter Inlet lines up nicely for a crossing from West End, but from what I've read, it is definitely not recommended. St. Lucie is appealing, from a course standpoint, however, the descriptions are somewhat mixed, since it requires periodic dredging. Does anyone know what the current status of St. Lucie is? Has it shoaled up, or is it in good shape?

[captronr]

Sorry, can't help with the planning, but WOW, are you trailing your boat to and from? And I thought I was stretching it to pull to Lake Hasasu.

Sounds like a fun trip. Best wishes,
Ron

[Chinook]

This will be our third trip cross country with Chinook in tow. After the first time, the country seems to shrink a bit. It's kind of like making 5 or 6 consecutive day trips. As great as our Pacific Northwest waters are, I guess I just love the contrast of the Atlantic and the chance to cruise new waters. We're so fortunate to live in a country with that opportunity, and the Mac is the ideal boat to do it in. I've got the road trip pretty well mapped out. Our route will take us across Idaho, Montana and Wyoming on I-90. We'll drop down through the Black Hills, and tour Wind Cave and Badlands NP's. Then it will be across Nebraska, a corner of Iowa, and Missouri. We'll pay our respects to Mark Twain at Hannibal with a bit of sightseeing. From there, we cross southern Illinois, with a planned stop at Lincoln's boyhood home before continuing on through southern Indiana and into Kentucky. Then we will traverse the Appalachians of West Virginia via I-64 and drop down into Virginia. We're taking this route so we can visit eldest son and family at Patuxent Naval Air Station for a few days. After some grandparenting time, we'll drop down the east coast on I-95 to Ft. Pierce FL where we plan to put the boat in. If you happen to live along our route, keep your eye out for us. We'll probably be the only sailboat on the road this time of year for most of the way.

[FLembo18]

Good Luck on your upcoming trip, I was stationed at PAX River 1965-1966 assigned to Squadron VR-1 (Navigation Office).

Frank L.

[Catigale]

Mike..you sure got it right about a great country for sail in venues...cheaply accessible. Safe travel both land and sea.

[Russ]

As I look out at snow falling in Bozeman, MT, I-90 and those mountain passes will surely have some snow. Take it slow and if you stop by our town say hello. You're right, not too many boats coming through this time of year.

--Russ

[Chinook]

Departure date is still 7 weeks away. I know it's still storm season in the mountains in early March, but chances for good roads should be better by then.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Best wishes Mike and crew !
Hope you have the time to prepare something viewable concerning the trip, similar to your Alaska & other trip adventures. Since I and the Admiral haven't the courage to make the crossing, it would be great fun reading about your trip on the web.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip !

[captronr]

Sounds like a great trip!

We have friends that have a cabin NW of Cashmere--beautiful county, but dry.

Our daughter lives in Seattle, so we get out there several times a year. Hope to pull the boat up there at least once. Might be iffy though, since daughter was LAID OFF on Thursday. Not sure she'll find a new job there, or ??????????.

Ron

[fishstalker7]

Mike,

I live in Jensen Beach and have taken my 28 and 35' sailboats drawing from 4'-9' in and out all of the inlets mentioned here. You won't have any trouble with any of them in a MacGregor. Some are better marked (Jupiter and Ft Pierce) if you have to arrive after dark, but all are navigable at night if you're cautious and as experienced as you are. If you want specifics feel free to call me at 772-260-4368. BTW...have you sold your Porta-Bote?

David

PS...if you want a more secure parking place for your rig while you are away...let me know.

[Lloyd Franks]

Mike: Will you guys be staying on board on overnights or in motels? Staying on board sure cuts down on the cost.

[Chinook]

Regarding CaptainR's post, Cashmere is just 11 miles down the road from us. It's a nice town in the Wenatchee River Valley, surrounded by some of the finest apple and pear orchards anywhere. Leavenworth (our home town) is on the edge of the fruit growing area, right at the base of the mountains. If you get the chance to visit, be sure to give us a call. A PM here will easily find us. Regarding Lloyd's question, we do use the boat as our RV when on the road. I carry the boom in the open pickup bed, and so the boat cabin is set up just like when we're on the water. Only inconvenience is the horizontal mast, which we have to duck around. And of course, we spend most of our time while on the water anchored out. Love those nights swinging on the hook.

[bobmonroe]

We've used all of these inlets also.
Ft. Pierce is your best shot from West End, you'll have the advantage
of the gulfstream and hopefully, east or se wind, do not attempt this
crossing in ANY northerly wind. We live in Vero Beach, just a few
miles north of Ft. Pierce. Need anything give me a call. 772 778 0418
Bob

[Chinook]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the input and the contact info. I'll write you into our address book. I suspect we'll make the call on which inlet to head for once we get to West End. St. Lucie is a little shorter, but further south than Ft. Pierce. If we have favorable sailing conditions, Ft. Pierce would probably be the right destination. If we end up powering, I'd likely head for St. Lucie.

[bobmonroe]

Just wondering, how long are you float planning for this cruise ?
I have lots of ideas.
Bob